In India, more than 17 lakh people die every year due to heart diseases and by 2030, the figure is expected to increase with 2.3 crore deaths. As per the World Health Organization, Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the major cause of mortality globally, as well as in India. Indians due to their genetic make-up are more vulnerable to heart diseases as compared to their western counterparts. According to the Indian Heart Association, 50% of all heart attacks in Indians occur under 50 years of age and 25% of all heart attacks in Indians occur under 40 years of age. It is time that Indians make their heart health a priority and make positive changes towards reducing their risk of heart diseases.
Heart Disease: Types
Heart disease refers to various types of conditions that can affect heart function. These include:
- Coronary artery (atherosclerotic) heart disease that affects the arteries connecting to the heart. Heart attack comes under this.
- Valvular heart disease that affects how the valves function to regulate blood flow in and out of the heart.
- Cardiomyopathy that affects how the heart muscle squeezes.
- Heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias) that affect the electrical conduction.
- Congenital heart disease heart has structural problems before birth.
Classic signs and symptoms of coronary heart disease may include:
- Chest pain (angina)
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Irregular heartbeat
If you notice any of these symptoms, this is a medical emergency and needs immediate attention.
Heart Disease: Risk factors
Several risk factors play an important role in determining if you will develop heart disease. Two of these factors, age, and heredity, are out of your control. However, you can make changes in your lifestyle to reduce your heart disease risk:
- Smoking – Smoking damages the blood vessels in your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Quit smoking, protect your heart health.
- Unhealthy diet – The foods you eat can affect your heart health. What you eat and how much can impact other risk factors for heart disease, such as your cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, and weight.
- Being inactive – People who aren’t active enough have a higher risk of developing heart disease. Doing regular physical activity or exercise often can cut your risk of having a heart attack or developing heart disease.
- Obesity – Being overweight or obese can lead to many health conditions and increase your chances of developing heart disease. Achieving a healthy weight is an important step in improving your heart, health, and wellbeing.
- Alcohol – Drinking a lot over the long term can increase your heart rate, blood pressure, weaken your heart muscle, and increase triglycerides. Say “No” to alcohol.
Heart Disease: Preventive measures
Heart disease is dangerous, but you can prevent heart disease to some extent by following a heart-healthy lifestyle. Here are strategies to help you protect your heart:
- Exercise regularly
- Stop smoking
- Eat healthy
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Reduce stress in your life
- Control your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers
- Get an annual heart check-up done
- Take medications for any health conditions
Heart Disease: Healthy eating
Your eating habits play an essential role in deciding your heart health. It is time to make some conscious changes to adopt a heart-healthy diet. Here are a few simple tips to follow:
- Control your portion size
- Eat more vegetables and fruits
- Select whole grains
- Limit unhealthy fats
- Reduce the sodium in your food
Centre for Cardiac Sciences at Kokilaben Hospital
The burden of heart diseases in India is on the rise. Specialists at our Centre for Cardiac Sciences provide an all-inclusive programme for the management of heart disease from newborns to adults including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. The team also conducts advanced minimally-invasive procedures for valve replacement, key-hole surgery, beating heart coronary artery bypass grafting, and awake cardiac surgery. Our experts have performed more than 1700+ Coronary Angioplasties and 6200+ Cardiac Surgeries.
The centre is supported by
- Advanced Cardiac Cath Labs
- Dedicated Cardiac Operation Theatres
- Fractional Flow Rate (FFR) for better diagnosis
- External Counter Pulsation (ECP) for Refractory Cardiac Failure patients
- Cardiac Electrophysiology for managing Cardiac Rhythm Abnormalities0
- Vibrant Non-Invasive Cardiology Programme
Centre for Children’s Heart
1 in 10 children suffers from congenital heart disease in India. Early detection and treatment aided by advanced technology help improve the survival and quality of life of newborns. The Children’s Heart Centre at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, is a world-class facility specialising in providing comprehensive care for neonates, infants, and children. The Centre possesses top of the line Heart Lung Machines used during surgeries, ECMO used in Critical Care, and 3D Echo machines for an accurate diagnosis.
Concerned about heart conditions like atherosclerosis, angina, heart failure, heart attack, irregular heartbeats, aortic valve disease, congenital heart problems? Consult highly trained experts from our Centre for Cardiac Sciences & Centre for Children’s Heart for timely diagnosis and exceptional treatment. Call us on 022 42699999 for any cardiac emergencies. Please find the below link for more details:
https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_cardiacsciences.html